Teacher gifts in Middle School?

[kathianne]

What's a good gift for teachers for Middle School? Do they typically give gifts for Middle School for Christmas? Elementary school it was standard, but in Middle School there's so many more teachers, if I gave a gift to everyone it would be 12 gifts!

So is it customary to give teacher gifts in Middle School and does anyone have good suggestions, something nice but inexpensive? Last year I filled coffee mugs with candy, various teas, wrapped with a nice ribbon and homemade cards, that seemed to work, any other suggestions!

 

[pigget74]

At my middle school students still give presents. Sixth grade for sure and then it begins to taper off after that. Your gift sounds great---give a gift card to a coffee place for 5 or give supplies for the room--expo markers, pens, ...

 

[luvtogo12]

DS loves to give gifts, he is in the 7th grade. I am sure he will want to give something this year although he has not mentioned it. There is Dunkin Donuts within walking distance of his school. I will probably get $5.00 gift cards for all his teachers for DD.

When my two older kids were in middle school, they refused to bring in any gifts. I had to "sneak" in a gift to one teacher who was especially good with my older son one year and I really wanted to thank her. I bought her a $25.00 gift card to Borders but that was the only teacher I bought for that year. It really depends on the child.

 

[becca-becca]

This past Spring, while reading on these boards, I ran accross a suggestion about donating to curingkidscancer.org You can make a donation in a teacher's name and you will receive a certificate that you can then give the teacher. I did this for my three children's teachers and principal. They all absolutelyl loved it. It made many of them cry. I really think it was something they will always remember and it made them feel very good.

 

[kathianne]

This past Spring, while reading on these boards, I ran accross a suggestion about donating to curingkidscancer.org You can make a donation in a teacher's name and you will receive a certificate that you can then give the teacher. I did this for my three children's teachers and principal. They all absolutelyl loved it. It made many of them cry. I really think it was something they will always remember and it made them feel very good.

That's a good thought! Teachers get so many gifts I'm sure they can't keep them all, probably pass them on, this way the money goes to a good cause.

 

[Evil__Queen]

Coming from a family of teachers, and they spend much of their own money for their students, the school boards don't cover....(Palm Beach County Florida....elem teachers get $70. for the entire Year).

If you know about the teacher a gift card towards something of their interest. My family likes football, NFL.com, or a local resturant where they can watch a game.

Movies are BIG.......

Target and Walmart (and believe me, my family, can't vouch for all teachers, it will still go back to the students....your kids)

Gas Cards would probably be good this year.

Just some thoughts and ideas.

 

[Evil__Queen]

That's a good thought! Teachers get so many gifts I'm sure they can't keep them all, probably pass them on, this way the money goes to a good cause.

And honestly they don't or they are knick knacks, which DON'T get me wrong, they like those, but demograhics really do play a part in what you get and how much.
But donations to organozations do mean alot, just make sure they know with a card or something. But do try to find out the org. they support.

 

[kathianne]

And honestly they don't or they are knick knacks, which DON'T get me wrong, they like those, but demograhics really do play a part in what you get and how much.
But donations to organozations do mean alot, just make sure they know with a card or something. But do try to find out the org. they support.

Well, I always like to give somehting I know they will actually use, such as a gift card for a movie, restaurant, etc, there's only so many thingies, knick knacks, etc their home can hold! Or something that will get comsumed, such as chocolates, tea, coffee, gift card for Starbucks, etc.

Maybe this year I will give them a cat--see my other thread about thoughtless gifts!

 

[kathianne]

$70 to spend on a classroom supplies is ridiculous! I know many teachers who have painted their own rooms (and bought all paint and supplies), made curtains, decorations, etc, in addition to the supplies they bought out of their own pockets. $70 is a worse insult than nothing, but I'd take the $70!

 

[clh2]

When my DD was in 6th grade, we bought a combined gift for all the teachers a $30 gc to Starbucks. (This group of teachers was always with some sort of java!) And we gave all her teachers a gift of some homemad cookies and some white-chocolate coated popcorn. I know there are many thoughts on homemade gifts...several teachers asked for the cookie recipe - so I know some of them ate the cookies.

In 7th grade, DD didn't like her group of teachers, so for the first time, we didn't do anything for the teachers.

She is in 9th grade this year, I doubt we will do anything.

 

[mamalle]

sounds like palm beach county- $70
Its only going to get worse the economy.

Im going to take the idea from someone on this board:

The whisk with hersey kisses and a gift card in the middle. what a cute idea it is! I hope its a hit with the teachers.. dd has a class now that team teaches so I have three teachers plus ds's teacher..

 

[62tall]

I am a teacher. Everything is appreciated! I recently sent into my daughters middle school, Fall gifts. I am a cvser and I had lip sticks and lots of school supplies from the summer .01 cent splurges. I filled pails up with all sorts of things. I sent things for the class and things for them. I then wrote a note. The notes that someone takes the time to write are the best gifts. I told them each that the are answers to prayers and that I was a blessed parent to have them. I think that the time that goes into a nice note at anytime during the year is better than a $5 GC. Teachers often just want an 'atta boy'. It is not an easy job and those ladies and gentlemen work hard!

 

[MKCP5]

My kids are at a charter school and have 10-12 teachers each. Waaaaaaaay to much to buy individually! Last year I picked up the .o1 cent stuff at staples, atched for clearance stuff at staples, went to target when the school supplies were 75% off, and kept a little stash.

At Christmas I sent in a big basket to the teachers room Pens, Pencils, glue sticks, paper clips, pencil sharpeners, scissors, erasers, etc. I sprinkled wrapped candies all over the top of it and put a handwritten card in expressing my thanks to all the teachers for what they do every day. It was a HUGE hit and I will be repeating it again this year. (I just hit Target this week for their 75% off!!)

PS Total cost was probably $10-15

 

[ReneeA]

I pick up supplies to donate throughout the year - normally 4 times a year or so I pick up paper towel, baby wipes, glue sticks, crayons, markers, pencils and sticker books - whatever I've found on sale mostly. I don't mind doing it since our school district doesn't have school supply lists - the school supplies everything the children need throughout the year. I also know the teachers are not given much for supplies and pay lots OOP for supplies. They also are not allowed to ask for anything, so I normally just leave a bag in a common area of the classroom with a little note.

As for Christmas gifts, I always buy a giftcard to Target. I figure they can buy either stuff they need for the class there or get something for themselves.

 

[Ratpack]

Great ideas, guys!! As a teacher, I have been "mugged" to death. It is a nice idea to give a mug and fill it with cocoa. But in this day of the economy, something useful, consumable, and such will be a great idea. OR I love the donation in the name of ____________ too. If the money can be given to do more for others, then I am sure that would touch any teacher.

We truly appreciate the littlest things (the big basket of goodies for everyone- fits right in there). The sweetest gifts are those genuine notes and cards from the parent or student. I keep those!!

 

[eatatmidnight]

Well, my oldest only wanted to give gifts to a couple of teachers each year so we bought something he knew they wanted. I am a bit of a baker and after testing or something I sent in a box of baked goodies for his teaching team. When my dd went to MS, I already had a bit of a reputation, so a few times each year, I send in a team goodie basket. At Christmas, I give them their own baked goods basket. One or two have mentioned that they had been very busy and that was the Christmas goodies for their family. Now my youngest has started MS and the tradition will continue.

I have several family members in the teaching profession. Really, a note with a message of appreciation goes a long way. I make Thanksgiving cards and the teachers always get one with a handwritten note.

 

[wahoo776]

Here are just three hopefully relatively budget minded suggestions I have done in the past:

1. I always seem to become good phone friends with the secretaries at the schools, so I ask her to give me a round about time when ALL of my son's teachers are at lunch, and drop off, McDs $1 cheeseburgers, fries and snack wraps. They have always really appreciated this. I also just bake a little extra when I bake and drop stuff to the teachers lounge, they love this, especially during the "off seaons" - in between holidays. I tend to bake alot!

2. A few years ago, I ran into this problem and solved it like this and it was a real hit amongst the teachers. I bought each a mug from the dollar store and enclosed a card, all of the cards had a note in them that talked about how much we really appreciated all they did for us throughout the year, one had a $25 gift card in it that said they had "won" and as much as we appreciated ALL of them this year our budget was tight. They loved it! and appreciated the fact that we were honest about not wanting/being able to spend for each of them. They cards and mugs were put in a basket for them to pick from, so there was no one teacher who had had a better chance than another!

3. This was is my favorite: A few years ago, I took a realitively nice size basket, and filled it with candy each day for a week with an expression 'explaining' the candy, ie If teachers made what they are worth, You would make "100 Grand" - filled with 100 Grand bars, There are not enough "Hugs and Kisses" in the world to say how much we appreciate all you do - filled with Hugs and Kisses, etc. It was placed in the Teachers lounge, annymously, with the help once again of the school secretary. It was me and a friend who did this and it was REALLY cool to hear the teachers talk about what there "secret pals" had left them that day, the final day was a little expensive, we bought fruit and bagels, etc and did a breakfast for them. They secretary who was in on it let us in way early that day and refused to tell who was doing it! She was great! - The expression were all found online or made up by us, cheap, easy and really showed our appreciation to the whole school!

Hope this helps!

 

[KayW]

As a middle school teacher, gift cards are always appreciated. I also love getting school items-pens/post its/markers, etc.

 

[waltskids]

I teach middle school in the gifted and talented program so I loop with my students and see them all three years in middle school. Gift cards are common at Christmas and at the end of the year as well as candles and stationary. Last year my graduating 8th graders wrote me a poem and had it laminated and blown up on large paper to hang in my room. They also bought me a gift card as well. I was crying by the end of the poem!

To the OP, our students usually give gifts to the 'core' teachers (Language, Math, etc.). The poem was the most beautiful gift and it is cheap too.

 

[kathianne]

To the OP, our students usually give gifts to the 'core' teachers (Language, Math, etc.). The poem was the most beautiful gift and it is cheap too.

Well, I always gave a gift to the "core" teachers, but seems there is no "core" teacher in middle school, they all have equal time with the kids. I hate to slight one over the other. Also I always sent a gift just so my children werer part of the party, everyone gave a gift, they would have flet left out if they didn't have anything to give.

I found some gift mugs at Costco, $5 each, in a pack of 3 for $15, pretty mugs filled with chocolates, coffees, etc, tied up with cellophane and ribbon, couldn't do better on my own, I snapped up 4 sets, now I'm ready for everyone!

Also lets not forget scouts, Sunday School, choir,................goes on and on